Page 78 (1/2)

“Will you pick her up with me?” Her question flew out quickly, a desperate plea

I turned back around andthe fear that tinted her eyes the second I wasn’t around “He won’t cross me”

She gave a slight nod as she sed—but she didn’t seem consoled whatsoever

“Uncle Bleu!”

My brother lifted her into the air the second he stepped through the front door and into the entryway “There she is” He held her with a single ared her, the same fatherly affection in his eyes because she pulled at his heartstrings the way she pulled at mine “I missed you”

“I missed you too, Uncle Bleu”

“I heard you’re back at school” My brother ignoredto the living room in front of the fireplace Their voices carried as their conversation continued, Claire’s sweet voice sharing every little detail that happened during her day

One day, she wouldn’t want to tell

Wasn’t looking forward to that

I walked into the great roo on the couch, her horses on the coffee table

Constance turned fro wasn’t as good as mine, but it was edible, and lately, I’d been too tired to do et better She stared for a while because she had no idea who he was

“My brother” I joined them on the couch

Bleu and Claire continued talking, and -and-silent, no-bullshit brother was practically a elica say to that?”

“That she doesn’t need any more friends…but she’s really nice I don’t knoe can’t all be friends”

“Because she’s jealous”

“Jealous?” she asked

“You know, she wants to keep you all to herself”

“But I can be friends with both of them”

“Well, you kno girls are…” He rolled his eyes

“Yeah,” Claire said “Sometimes they can be mean, but I don’t knohy”

“Because you’re too sweet” My brother gave her a pat on the head “Which is surprising because your dad is a bit of a dud”

I gave hilare

“My dad isn’t a dud,” Claire said, i to my defense “He’s my best friend”

My hand went to ht tolike that…it killed me I hoped ould always be this way, that when she was out of the house with her own life, we could still be close, still be friends

Bleu smiled “Well, that’s nice of you since your dad doesn’t have any friends”

“Constance is his friend too”

“Constance?” my brother asked